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Howard County, IN Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Howard County Code § 97.03
Abandoned vehicle age
3+ model years old, inoperable
Public property limit
72 hours without moving 100 feet
Private property limit
48+ hours without owner consent
Abatement period
10 business days after notice
First-offense fine
$100, rising to $1,000 by third
Enforcer
Compliance Official under Board of Commissioners

Summary

In unincorporated Howard County, leaving an abandoned vehicle, garbage, or junk on your property is a declared public nuisance under County Code § 97.03. A vehicle counts as abandoned if it is at least three model years old, mechanically inoperable, and visible from public property for more than 20 days, or if it sits on private land without the owner's consent for over 48 hours. The Compliance Official can order cleanup within ten business days.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(A) Abandoned vehicles, garbage and junk are hereby declared public nuisances. Abandoned vehicles, garbage and junk as defined that constitute violations of this chapter are declared to be public nuisances due to the danger to the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the county. (B) Violation. It is a violation of this chapter for an owner or occupant of real property to allow abandoned vehicles, garbage and/or junk to accumulate on real property located within unincorporated Howard County and used for residential or commercial purposes, thereby creating a public nuisance affecting a neighborhood or community as may be determined solely in the discretion of the Compliance Official. ... The violation notice shall identify the violation(s) and order the owner to mitigate the public nuisance within ten business days from the date on which the owner has been served with the violation notice (“abatement period”).

View official code

Full Breakdown

The Board of Commissioners adopted this nuisance chapter by Ord. 2025 BCCO-13 on April 21, 2025, creating a single enforcement track for abandoned vehicles, garbage and junk on residential or commercial property in unincorporated Howard County. 02, an abandoned vehicle also includes any vehicle located illegally on public property, one left on public property for 72 hours without being moved at least 100 feet from its original spot, one obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or one on public property missing its engine, transmission or differential.

Farm equipment, farm implements, and antique farming implements are excluded from the definition. Junk covers abandoned vehicles and parts, scrap metal, wood, paper, rags, tires, bottles and dismantled appliances, whether operable or not. Enforcement starts when any county resident files a violation report; the Compliance Official (the Board of Commissioners or its designee) inspects the property and, if a violation is found, serves a written notice by personal service, certified mail, email, or posting on the property. The notice sets a ten-business-day abatement period to clear the nuisance.

An owner or occupant can appeal to the Hearing Authority before that period expires, which pauses the clock until a decision issues within 30 days. If the property is not cleared, the County Attorney can seek a court order of abatement in Howard County Circuit or Superior Court, and the county recovers its administrative and abatement costs by invoice; unpaid invoices are certified to the County Auditor and added to the property's real estate tax bill.

Violations & Fines

Fines escalate under § 97.99: $100 for a first violation, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent violation, on top of actual administrative costs, abatement costs, and up to $300 in court filing and attorney fees. All penalties, fees and abatement cost recoveries are deposited into the county's Unsafe Building Fund, which the Board of Commissioners can also tap to reimburse abatement expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a vehicle 'abandoned' under Howard County's nuisance code?
Under § 97.02, a vehicle is abandoned if it is at least three model years old, mechanically inoperable, and left visible from public property for more than 20 days. It also counts as abandoned if parked illegally on public property, left there 72 hours without moving 100 feet, blocking traffic, or left on private property without the owner's consent for more than 48 hours. Farm equipment is excluded.
How long do I have to remove an abandoned vehicle after a notice?
The Compliance Official's written violation notice gives you ten business days, called the abatement period, to clear the abandoned vehicle, garbage, or junk. You can appeal to the Hearing Authority before that period ends, which pauses the clock, but if you miss the deadline without appealing, the county can authorize the County Attorney to seek a court order removing the nuisance at your expense.
What happens if I don't pay the county's abatement bill?
Under § 97.03(H), an unpaid abatement invoice is certified by the Compliance Officer to the County Auditor, who adds the total, plus any accrued interest and additional administrative costs, directly to the property's real estate tax bill. You have ten days to pay after the invoice is served, or ten calendar days to appeal to the Hearing Authority first.
Are farm vehicles or equipment covered by this ordinance?
No. Section 97.02(A)(3) expressly excludes farm equipment, farm implements, machinery parts used in agricultural operations, and antique farming implements from the definition of an abandoned vehicle, so tractors and similar equipment stored on farmland in unincorporated Howard County are not subject to this nuisance chapter.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Howard County

Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsRV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsCommercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsLoading ZonesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: MicrochippingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome Restrictions

All Howard County rules

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